A Sociological Approach to Vasectomized Patient’s Trajectories at the Buenos Aires University Clinical Hospital “José de San Martín”

Abstract

According to Argentinian Ministry of Health records the number of patients requesting vasectomy increased twelve times in public hospitals, between 2015 and 2019. Physicians and specialists account for this change in recent years, arguing, among other reasons, a cultural change where the male assumes an active position in contraceptive methods. This research addresses vasectomized patient´s trajectory at the Buenos Aires University Clinical Hospital “José de San Martín”. Our aim was to define from a sociological point of view if we are actually witnessing a cultural change. While considering the last ten years (2012-2022), through a diachronic study analyzing patient´s demand at the Male Fertility Laboratory (n: 1136) we found out that although the main motivation is fertility a minority (6%) consulting to confirm the absence of sperm in the ejaculate following vasectomy increased significantly in 2022 (Pearson’s Chi-square p<0.0001). After qualitative/quantitative interviews to the former patient´s group (n:36) two subpopulations were distinguished the childless (42%; Median age: 30 years old; range: 24-35) and those having a family (58%; Median age: 39 years old; range: 35-54). Most of them had a university degree (67%) and learned about this anticontraceptive method by the internet. It is remarkable that 94% of them were not aware of the Argentinan Law 236139 sanctioned in 2006 that grants their right to vasectomy. Among all the patients randomly interviewed in 2022 (n:200) condom anticontraceptive method was the best known (67%). Finally we conclude that in the meantime we are facing a New Trend that comprises a high educational level segment of our people that can become the seed of a Cultural Change in the future encompassing the whole society.